Inside:Your new-look

Housing Annual Report

HometalkThe magazine for Cannock Chase Council tenants & leaseholders.

Autumn\Winter 2018

A £50 gift voucher

- Back page

Anthony Dunn’s stunning photo© of deer on

the Chase reminds us that Winter is just around the corner, so check out our TEN TOP TIPS to keep yourself & your home warm during the cold months

- Page 3.

The new Housing Improvement Panel needs you - Page 2

2 3The Housing Improvement Panel needs YOU

Wordsearch:Mr K Hughes, HednesfordGas Servicing Draw:JuneMrs S C Hill, Cannock;Mr A Teece, Cannock.JulyMrs I Ghent, Cannock;Mrs V Horne, Cannock.AugustMr J & Mrs K Plant, Cannock;Mr T Jones, Cannock.SeptemberMrs F Smith, Cannock.Mr C Mills, Cannock.Alarm Test Draw:Due to a system change, it has not been possible to select a winner for this edition. Two winners will be announced in the next edition.

Every onea winner

Tenantspleaserememberitisyourresponsibilitytoinsureyourfurniture,belongingsandpersonalpossessions.

Theseincludeyourcarpets,curtains,clothes,bedding,andelectricalitems.Anddon’tforgetyourjewellery,picturesandornaments.

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OTHERTHINGSCOVEREDASSTANDARD:• No excess to pay if you make a claim• The contents of your freezer if it broke down• The damage caused by a leaking washing machine or a burst

pipe• The contents of sheds and garages are included• Students possessions living away from home• Covers damage to external glazing for which you are

responsible for• Optional extensions are available

Underwritten by Allianz PlcLimits and exclusions apply, a full policy wording is available on request.

For more information please contact us on

01543462621ext 4357 or 4679

As a tenant or leaseholder of Cannock Chase Council, would you: Be interested in helping the Council to improve its

Housing Services? Like to learn more about Housing generally? On a personal note, would you like the opportunity to improve your skills? And develop as a person?

Then why not join our newly formed Housing Improvement Panel?What is the Housing Improvement Panel?

Thursday13th December

2.00pm to 3.30pm at Cannock Chase Council Offices

6.30pm to 8.00pm at Rugeley Community Centre

Monday17th December

2.00pm to 3.30pm at Rugeley Community Centre

6.30pm to 8.00pm at Cannock Chase Council Offices

For more information and to book a place at a taster session please contact the Housing Strategy and Service Improvement

Team on 01543 462621 or email serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Cannock Chase Council is passionate about its services and the tenants who use them. Our customer-led Housing Improvement Panel (HIP) looks at the way our housing team works and gives you the opportunity to improve the services you receive. The HIP will take part in service reviews, engage with tenants, leaseholders and staff, support `value for money`, scrutinise performance and recommend improvements.

How can I benefit?Being part of HIP will give you the opportunity to meet

new people and build your confidence. You will have the chance to learn and develop useful skills such as interviewing, listening and evaluating, working as part of a team, reaching consensual decisions and report writing.

We recently held a preliminary meeting to which a handful of tenants were invited to help us determine the way forward with the HIP.

One of them, Stephen Froggatt, of Cannock Wood, said: “I am pleased to be engaging with the Council on the development of the Housing Improvement Panel. The Council would really like tenants and leaseholders to be able to express our views and help improve the services we receive. I am very much looking forward to the taster sessions to find out more about being on the HIP, to learn more about housing and hopefully pick up some new skills!”

If you would like to learn more about the Housing Improvement Panel and how it will work we will be holding the following taster sessions in December:

A Christmas Message from Housing Portfolio Leader, Cllr Alan Pearson. Seasons Greetings! It has been an interesting year since taking over as Portfolio Leader from the long serving Cllr Frank Allen. I look forward to maintaining and improving services to you in 2019 and beyond.

This year we have seen progress on the redevelopment of the former garages sites and other Council owned land producing 17 brand new Council homes for tenants.

The Housing Service continues to provide a very good repairs and maintenance service, with 100% of emergency repairs being completed within timescales.

satisfactionThe capital programmes

continue to deliver improvements to the stock and your satisfaction levels remain high, with central heating upgrades and gas servicing at 98% and electrical upgrades at 99%.

Next year will bring in the introduction of our new Housing Improvement Panel, which I urge tenants and leaseholders to get involved with. You can read more about that on this page.

Lastly, as Universal Credit comes in for new claimants, we are here to help should you be struggling with paying your rent or managing a budget, we want to help you maintain your tenancy and keep you warm, safe and secure in our homes.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

S orry, it’s Universal Credit information again, but this change in benefits is going to affect an awful lot of people

in the Cannock Chase district soon, so being prepared is a big advantage.

Some HOMETALK readers may already be claiming UC, since it was introduced in the Rugeley area from August last year.

Now UC is being rolled out to all new claimants across the whole District from THIS MONTH, November 2018 - some of you may have just started on Universal Credit.

The Council is ready and able to support anyone affected by the switchover to UC. However, getting yourself and your family ready is vitally important.

Our Income Management Team has put together an action plan to guide you on the journey:

1. Plan ahead - When universal credit is introduced you will get one monthly payment for all benefits at once, so you may need to change the way you manage your money. We have an online budgeting calculator to help you. Go to:www.budget.entitledto.co.uk/cannockchasedc

2. Mind the gaps - Universal Credit may not apply to you for some time, but there are still lots of things you can do to prepare. Try the Universal Credit Personal Planner at:ucpp.dwp.gov.uk/universal-credit-preparation/

3. A Banking Account - you NEED a bank account, a building society account or an account with a Credit Union, because all UC is paid by bank transfer. If you don’t have an account, contact a local bank or building society, or contact Fusion Credit Union as soon as possible.

4. Internet access: Claimants will be expected to claim UC and manage their account online. If you need help getting internet access, go to your local library or Council office.

5. Pay your rent. There is nothing more important than the roof over your head. If you are used to having your rent taken care of with Housing Benefit, get ready for a BIG switch: UC means you will be responsible for the rent. The Council’s Income Management Team can help you plan for the change. Set up a Direct Debit to ensure your rent is paid on time. The Council’s Income Management Team - 01543 462621 - will assist.

Check your rent Balance - The best way for you to view your rent account is to login on the ‘Self Serve’ section of the website atwww.cannockchasehousing.co.uk

If you need any help please contact the Income Management Team.

IMPORTANT.Seven days after your Universal Credit

Assessment period you will have more money in your account than under the old Housing Benefit system. This extra is NOT spending money - it is for paying your rent! Don’t be tempted to spend your rent money on other things. But if you are struggling to pay the rent or UC stops being paid for whatever

reason, contact the Income Management Team: call 01543 462621 or email:

rents@cannockchasedc.gov.ukfor help and advice.

1. Use your curtainsHeat from the sun is free so make the most of it. Open curtains to let sunlight in during the day. Shut them after dark to create another layer of insulation. Don’t leave gaps in the curtains - this also helps to reduce condensation.

2. Be smart with central heating timers.The Centre for Sustainable Energy advises that having the heating come on a little earlier in the morning but at a lower temperature, is cheaper than turning it on just as you need it at a higher temperature.

3. Move your sofa.A sofa in front of a radiator blocks warm air. By moving it, hot air can circulate freely. The same goes for curtains or drying clothes

- keep them away from the radiator.

4. Maximise insulationAround 25% of heat is lost through the roof. This can be easily reduced with at least 100mm (4-5in.), upwards to 270mm (11in,) of insulation throughout your loft.

5. Turn down the dialThe World Health Organisation previously recommended a minimum temperature of 21ºC (70ºF) in the living room, but Public Health England revised this to 18ºC (65ºF). Research shows that turning the thermostat down by 1 degree could cut your heating bill by up to 10%.

6. Block out draughtsEven a home made ‘sausage dog’ draught excluder will help keep the warmth in. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that DIY draught-proofing doors, windows and cracks in the floor with cheap to buy strips could save £25 per year.

7. Reflect the heatRadiator panels are relatively cheap, easy to install, and ensure that heat from your radiators warms up your room and not your walls. You could use tin foil sheets behind radiators instead.8. Pop on some pipe-laggingInsulating hot water pipes with foam tubes keeps the water inside your pipes hotter for longer and protects against the cold. You can buy pipe lagging from any DIY store and fit it in seconds, no tools required.9. Bleed your radiators.Check your radiators are heating right to the top. If they are not, the chances are you need to learn how to bleed a radiator. All it means is releasing trapped air at the top. Use a radiator bleed key (about £1 in any DIY shop) to open the little valve at the top. You will hear air hiss out and when a drip of water appears, close it up again. 10. Floor CoveringsRugs don’t just add a splash of colour to your room, they can help keep them warm too. Uninsulated floors account for as much as 10% of heat loss. If you have bare floors, lino or laminate flooring, rugs will help keep the room warm, as well as adding a splash of colour!

This year your Housing Annual Report has been given a complete makeover: less words, more information and with visual content to make it more readable and easier to understand.

We hope you like it.Social housing providers, like

Cannock Chase Council, must meet regulatory standards set by Homes England, the regulatory body for social housing.

Those standards include producing timely and relevant performance information so tenants can check up on the quality of the housing service they are getting.

The performance information must include publishing an annual report, which should have details of repair and maintenance budgets.

The Annual Report to Tenants is also available on the Council’s website at: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/residents/housing/housing-services-annual-report

If you have a query or would like further information, please contact the Service Improvement Team on 01543 462621 or email

serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Are You ready?

In 2017/18 the Council published three editions of Hometalk.The STAR survey found 81% of all tenants are satisfied with Hometalk, while only 3% expressed any dissatisfaction with it.

We try to make HOMETALK interesting, as well as informative. However…

- if you have any comments about Hometalk, good or bad;

- if there are any stories you would like to see more of, or topics you want less of;

- if you have any suggestions for improving HOMETALK;

- or about anything of interest to our readers.

Get in touch with the Service Improvement Team. Call 01543 462621 or email:serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Catherine Smith (left) and Lyndzey Brewer, part of the Income Management team ready to assist tenants.

Handy home hints…TEN low cost tips to keep your home warm this winter.

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Your name .................................................

Your address ............................................

................................ Post Code ...............

Tel. ............................ I am aged over 16

NB Closing date is: Friday 11th January.(Employees of the Council and their families not eligible to enter)

Housing Services may wish to contact you concerning housing matters. If you do not wish to be contacted, tick this box

A £50 gift voucher N A I T A M L A D BD A S P A N I E L PN S I E I L L O C OU E Z N K C O R G IH T Y A A D Q O B NS T K J H R D H P TH E S O P L E C U EC R U M L Q X M G RA N H U V R E X O BD O B E R M A N N P

exclusively for tenants!

Send entries to:Hometalk WordsearchThe Civic CentreBeecroft RoadCannock(or hand it in at your local Council Office).First correct entry drawn out wins the prize.

DALMATIAN SPANIELPOMERANIAN PUGDOBERMAN HUSKYDACHSHUND COLLIEBLOODHOUND BOXERBULLDOG POINTER

SETTERTiebreaker: A real royal dog

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Tenants who suspect their electricity

meter box may have a fault or is damaged

in any way, are urged to report it to

Western Power as soon as possible

- phone 0800 096 3080.

Published by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL HOUSING DIVISION Editorial Consultants: MID STAFFS NEWS AGENCY 01785 823489 Printed by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL PRINT DIVISION

Hometalk is available in LARGE PRINT and ON TAPE. Contact

the Service Improvement Team on 01543 462621.

CHECK THOSE ALARMS!Tenants & all other clients using the Council’s

alarm system are reminded to carry out their monthly check:

ONCE A MONTH pull the cord to alert the call centre. This will test the alarm is working and

reassure operators that you are all right.DON’T FORGET THE £25 ALARM TEST PRIZE DRAW!

ContactCentre

Cannock Chase Council website:www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Opening Hours…The Council’s Housing Office at the Bungalow in Beecroft Road, Cannock, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The Local Council Office in Anson Street, Rugeley is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.00am to 12.00pm / 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

The One-stop Shop at the Library in Market Street, Hednesford is now open for general inquiries on Wednesdays only, 9.00am to 1.00pm / 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

Appointments can also be made.

Writing to us…Cannock Chase Council,Civic Centre,P O Box 28, Beecroft Road,Cannock, Staffs. WS11 1BG.

Housing Enquiries…General enquiries: Tel: 01543 462621

Emergency Repairs…

Repairs Reporting…All repairs: Tel: 01543 462621 or

All areas outside office hours:Tel: 01543 462621.

Anti-social behaviourOut of hours service…DON’T LIVE WITH IT - REPORT IT! Tel: 01543 462621Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Housing and Council Tax Benefitsenquiries: 01543 464292

Benefits Enquiries…

Pay by Phone: 0845 2340080

Rent Payments…

Council Online…Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/PayRent

Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Report it’